Leopardstown racing tip: Back the favourite to help Gordon Elliott see off Willie Mullins

1425 Savills Chase

The big guns are in full force at Leopardstown on Thursday, with perennial winner Gerri Colombe leading a star-studded field.

Henry de Bromhead’s A Plus Tard is more than capable of putting a cat among the pigeons but this looks like a shootout between Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins.

In the Elliott corner, bookie’s favourite Gerri Colombe will be joined by Conflated, who did well to push him in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase recently.

He also pushed the talented Envoi Allen (withdrawn) at Down Royal while giving Galopin Des Champs a run for his money at Cheltenham.

On the other hand, Mullins will send out four of the eight runners. Gallopin Des Champs rates as the biggest threat on paper but I Am Maximus and Appreciate It could be right there.

Suggested bet: Gerri Colombe to win the Savills Chase at Leopardstown

Capodano and Churchstonewarrior are smart chasers but they look out of their depth and would need to find a lot.

Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow beat Galopin Des Champs to the Punchestown Gold Cup earlier this year so his withdrawal is a real disappointment.

Galopin's back-to-back defeats at Punchestown could mean he is not as popular with the betting public heading into this race.

In the end, Gerri Colombe looks like he’s got plenty more to give. His only defeat in nine outings was a close second at the Cheltenham festival earlier this year where he finished well clear of Irish Grand National winner I Am Maximus.

It’s fair to say that some improvement is needed to win this race but his transition from a novice was seamless and he’s gone from strength to strength, jumping with such consistency.

Suggested bet: Gerri Colombe to win the Savills Chase at Leopardstown

• Tip advised on Tipstrr